A method for measuring residual strains in fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites

Abstract

A new method for measuring the residual fiber strains in fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites has been developed. The method involves selectively etching the matrix over a prescribed length of composite and subsequently measuring the extension of the relaxed fibers relative to neighboring fibers that are still embedded within the matrix material. The extensions are measured using confocal microscopy. The method is demonstrated on three unidirectionally reinforced composites with varying fiber volume fractions. The effects of specimen tilt and fiber splaying following dissolution on the measured fiber extensions are analyzed. The residual fiber strains are rationalized on the basis of the thermoelastic properties of the constituents through a concentric cylinder model. The current method can be applied to other metal matrix composites reinforced with large diameter (monofilament) fibers, provided the matrix can be selectively etched.